When the unthinkable happens, and you have been injured due to the actions of another person, you will need an ally. Westminster is the county seat of Carroll County, Maryland, and sees its fair share of car accidents.
A personal injury lawyer will ensure that all of your questions are answered and guide you through the complex legal system. we will fight for you to receive your just compensation for your injury. With a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury lawyer, you can rest easy knowing that your case is being handled by a professional.
For a free case review with our personal injury attorneys, call Rice Law today at (410) 694-7291.
About Our Westminster Personal Injury Lawyers
When you or a loved one has been injured, we know you will have questions. You should not go through this alone. A top Westminster personal injury lawyer can help you seek justice for your injury. We have years of experience in personal injury claims and can be of great help in your time of need.
When you ask for our help, you will be given a free consultation. We will evaluate your claim and give you much-needed options. Previous clients have benefited from using our services. We have delivered great results for victims of car accidents, drunk driving accidents, dog bites, slips and falls, and medical malpractice cases. If you have questions, call Rice Law.
Common Types of Personal Injury Cases that Our Westminster, MD Personal Injury Lawyers Handle
There are countless types of personal injuries for which victims can recover compensation. Our personal injury attorneys have years of experience helping clients get justice for their injuries and can help you, regardless of the circumstances surrounding your case. The following are some of the most common personal injury cases that our lawyers handle in Westminster:
Auto Accident Cases
Auto accidents are one of the most common types of personal injury cases seen in Westminster. They are also one of the most complicated. This is because there are so many factors that can affect an auto accident case and how much compensation you could be owed. Auto accidents are caused by a variety of different things, including speeding, driver distraction, poor road or weather conditions, and vehicle defects. Car accidents can result in injuries serious injuries that can affect the victim for years after the accident.
We can also help if your accident involved a commercial truck or you were injured while on a motorcycle. These cases are similar to typical auto accident lawsuits but have important distinctions that make the more challenging. In these cases, multiple parties could be liable for your injuries.
Pedestrian Accident Cases
Pedestrian accidents can cause serious injuries and even death. If someone hits you while walking on the sidewalk or crossing a street, you can sue them for damages. Pedestrians can sustain serious injuries in these types of collisions, including head injuries and spinal cord injuries, which can result in significant medical bills. These cases can prove difficult since drivers sometimes do not stop after hitting a pedestrian. However, we can investigate your case and help identify the driver that injured you.
Medical Malpractice Cases
Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional acts negligently during the course of treatment. When medical malpractice occurs, the victim may suffer from permanent disability or even death. In some cases, victims may not even know they were injured until years later. While these cases can be extremely complex, your attorney will be able to help you gather evidence so that you can get compensation for your injuries. While most personal injury cases must be filed within a certain amount of time, you might have extra time to file your lawsuit if you did not discover your injuries until much later.
Slip and Fall Cases
Slip and fall cases are another common type of personal injury case that our firm regularly handles in Westminster. A slip and fall injury can be caused by a number of different reasons, including poor lighting, uneven floors, or wet surfaces. Slip and fall accidents commonly occur in grocery stores, retail stores, bars, and restaurants. However, determining liability in these cases can be difficult if you do not know what to look for. In most cases, the property owner will be liable for your damages, but other parties could be responsible for the safety of the premises you were injured on and should also be named in your lawsuit to maximize the compensation you recover.
Defective Product Cases
Defective product cases arise when someone uses a product that has been designed improperly or manufactured with faulty materials and this results in an injury. Defective products can include anything from toys to cars to medications. For example, if you purchase a car with defective brakes and then get into an accident because the brakes fail, you can typically sue the designer and manufacturer of the product. However, it can be very difficult to determine where in the manufacturing process the defect occurred and gather the necessary evidence to prove that the company that made the product is responsible for your injuries.
Westminster Auto Accident Injuries
A car crash can change your life forever. Car crashes are the most common type of personal injury. Additionally, the injury can either be minor or major. it is crucial to retain a Westminster personal injury lawyer after you have been injured in a car accident. An injury lawyer can help you navigate the legal system and get a better payout for your claim.
Car crashes are not uncommon and present the chance for severe injury. A Westminster personal injury lawyer can apply their knowledge and experience so that your case can go as smoothly as possible. If you call our firm, we can evaluate your claim and ensure that your questions are answered and your claim is given the attention it deserves. You may also seek answers and representation with other types of motor accidents such as bus and motorcycle accidents.
Proving Negligence in a Personal Injury Claim
To make a viable personal injury case, you must show negligence on the part of the other person or persons to succeed in your claim. So, what is negligence and how do you prove it? Negligence is behavior that falls below a standard that has been mandated by law or by industry custom.
To show negligence, it is necessary to show a duty, a breach of that duty, the breach caused the injury, and that harm did occur. A duty can be shown through an employment relationship, but this is not the only way it can be shown. People everywhere have the duty to act reasonably given the circumstances. If another person or persons did not act reasonably given the circumstances, then it is likely you can show a breached duty. If you have questions about whether your claim can show duty, breach, causation, and harm then call a Westminster personal injury lawyer.
Calculating Your Personal Injury Claim
When you or a loved one has been injured by the actions of another, you will have questions. One of these questions might be how much you may be awarded in a financial settlement. If you win your case, you will likely be awarded damages. These damages are meant to compensate you for various harms caused by your injury. You can be compensated for things like lost wages, pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost potential future income.
When you call, we can begin evaluating your claim to see if damages can be sought. Different claims can have vastly different damages associated with them. Additionally, the individual circumstances of the injury will help inform how much and what type of compensation can be sought. If you have questions about potential damages, call a Westminster personal injury lawyer.
Compensation You Can Recover in a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Westminster, MD
If you have suffered a personal injury in Westminster, you are likely entitled to numerous forms of damages. Many of your losses can be measured in financial damages, but other losses will be measured in the emotional impact they have had on you. The following are the two main categories of damages awarded in Westminster personal injury cases:
Economic Damages
These are the actual financial costs your injuries have caused you to incur. For example, if you broke your leg in an accident, your economic damages would be the cost of your medical bills, prescriptions, and physical therapy sessions. The economic damages must be provable with receipts, bills, and other evidence of payment.
The largest part of your damages will likely be your medical costs, including past and future medical expenses you will need to complete your rehabilitation program. You can also recover lost wages due to missed work, both current and future. If you cannot work in the same capacity, you can claim a loss of future earning potential, as well. Further, you can claim any property damage you suffered or out-of-pocket- expenses you needed to pay during the course of treatment.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are compensation for loss of life’s pleasures, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, or disfigurement. The amount of non-economic damages depends on many factors including the severity of your injuries and how they affect your ability to function normally in everyday life. These losses cannot be measured or quantified in terms of dollars, but they are still very real and often severe. Other examples of non-economic damages include loss of consortium, which is the loss of the ability to enjoy one’s relationship with their spouse, and the loss of enjoyment of life if you cannot take part in the same activities as before because of your injuries.
However, non-economic damages are capped in Maryland. This means you will only be able to recover the maximum amount allowed under Maryland law. As of 2030, the cap is set at $920,000. Fortunately, this number goes up each year by about $15,000.
Our Westminster, MD Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
Contact Rice Law at (410) 694-7291 today to speak with our personal injury attorneys, who can provide you with a free case evaluation.